Ahmedabad: In a notable achievement of urban greening, Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Saturday that sustained environmental efforts have successfully lowered the average temperature in Gandhinagar by 2 to 3 degrees Celsius. Shah attributed this decline to the planting of 1.5 crore saplings across his Lok Sabha constituency over the past three years.
Review of Environmental and Developmental Projects
During a review meeting with officials, Shah called for an even more ambitious, multi-pronged plantation drive in 2026-27 to further expand the region’s green cover. He emphasized that tree plantation and pond restoration have become hallmarks of the Gandhinagar constituency. In a post on X, he stated, “Over the past three years, 1.5 crore trees have been planted in the region. As a result of these sustained efforts, a decline of 2-3 degrees has been recorded in the average temperature of the Lok Sabha constituency.”
Details of the Plantation Drive
A government release noted that Shah expressed his intention to provide an eco-friendly environment for workers and industrialists by increasing green cover in the GIDC (industrial) areas of his constituency. He suggested planting saplings in the smallest open spaces, including road medians. A target of planting 1.03 crore saplings this year has been set, a 64% increase from the 62.85 lakh planted last year. The forest department will plant 6,000 saplings at 18 entry points of Gandhinagar district and seven entry points of Ahmedabad district, using methods such as the Miyawaki model, dense plantation, linear plantation, boundary plantation, and scattered plantation.
Meetings with Local Councillors and Review of Public Services
During his Gujarat visit, Shah held meetings with newly elected Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation councillors from Ghatlodia, Vejalpur, Naranpura, and Sabarmati assembly segments, which fall under the Gandhinagar Lok Sabha constituency. He congratulated them on their victory and discussed organizational matters, public service, and regional development. Shah expressed confidence that the councillors would work with dedication, dialogue, and a service spirit to contribute to area development.
Shah also reviewed the functioning of public hospitals in the constituency and the modernization of the Sarkhej-Gandhinagar Highway. Additionally, he assessed the progress of development works by the Gujarat Urban Development Company (GUDC) and Mansa Municipality.
Meeting on Cultural and Spiritual Publications
Shah attended a meeting of the Akhand Anand and Sastu Sahitya Mudranalay Trust, focusing on the publication, printing, and distribution of the Gita, Ramayana, and the monthly magazine ‘Akhand Anand’. He praised the trust’s contribution to propagating Indian culture, values, and spirituality.
This report includes inputs from PTI.
